Highway 41 blaze stops after consuming over 9,000 acres
A wildfire that began on April 25 north of Tamiami Trail in west Miami‑Dade County burned 9,149 acres before reaching full containment on May 4. The fire affected parking lots and facilities along the highway, and caused disruptions for several air‑boat operators in the area.
Fire officials reported that the blaze spread rapidly across the region’s dry season conditions, which run from December through April and elevate brush‑fire risk. The fire’s intensity was attributed in part to accumulated rotting vegetation on the ground.
The owner of an Everglades air‑boat attraction returned to the site on Thursday to assess damage. During an air‑boat tour, he observed uneven burn patterns, with blackened sawgrass alternating with pockets of intact vegetation. He noted that the scorched marshland extended for miles in some directions, illustrating the rapid and irregular spread of the fire.
No injuries or fatalities were reported, and the fire remains fully contained. Local emergency services continue to monitor the affected area for any potential ember activity.